The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-08-05

aoodt TO be fobBed OF Eis wrs under cIrcum-
stances curiously like those by which you
were robbed of yours. Unless 1t is prevented,
what you have suffered all your life that he
will suffer also. Remember you are Of the
same blood, and, allowing for the differences
between your ages, of very much the same
temperament, too Think how different life
would have been to you If any one had staved
off your disaster, and then am sure you will
do all you eau to stave off his"
"Life would have been non-existent for
you," he answered, "for you would never have
teen born"
"Ah, WE'LL" she said, with little sigh, II
am sure I should have got on very well with.
out could have spared myself"
Mr.. Cardus was a keen man, and could SEQ
as far into the human heart as most,
"Girl,n he said, contracting his white eye
brows and suddenly turning round upon her, I
"you love Ernest yourself. l have often sus-
pected It; now am sure you do"
Dorothy flinched.
"Yes," she answered, ~ do love him; what
thenp
"And yet you are advocating my inter-
ference TO secure his marriage with another
woman. a worthless creature who does not
know her own mind. You cannot really care
about him."
"Care about himr And she turned her
sweet blue eyes upward. ~ love him with
all my heart and soul and strength i HFve
always loved him; always shall love him.
love him so well that | can do my duty to
him, Reginald 1t Is my duty to strain every
nerve to prevent this marriage. had rather
that my heart should ache than Ernest's. l
implore you to help mel'
dorothy, it has always been my dearest
wish that you should marry Ernest. told
him so just before that unhappy duel love
you both. All the fibers of my heart that are
left alive have wound themselves around you.
Jeremy l could never care for. Indeed,
fear that used sometimes to treat the boy
harshly. He reminds Inc of his father; and
do you know, my dear, sometimes think
that on that point am not quite sane' But
because you have asked me to do it, and be-
cause you have quoted your dear mother
may peace be with herl-I will do what
can This girl Eva, is Of age, and l will
write and offer her a home She need fear
no persecution here"
"You are kind and good, Reginald, and
thank you"
"The letter shall go by to-night's post"
The letter was written. 1t offered Eva q
home and protection.
In due course an answer, signed by Eva
herself, came back. 1t thanked him for his
kindness, and regretted that circumstances
and "her sense Of duty" prevented her from
accepting the offer.
Then Dorothy felt that she had done all
that in her lay, and gave the matter up.
1t was about this time that Florence drew
another picture. 1t represented Eva as An
dromeda gazing hopeessly in the dim light of
| CHASTITY dawn out across a CLASSY sea- and
far away in the oily depths there was rip
| pie, and beneath the ripple form travelling
toward the chained maiden. The form had a
human head and cold, gray eyes, and its fea-
lures were those Of Mr.. Plowden.
| And so, day by day, Destiny throned In
space shot her flaming shuttle from darkness
into darkness, and the time passed on, as the
time must pass till the inevitable end of al
things is attained.
Eva existed and suffered, and that was al
shs did. She scarcely ate or drank or slept
But still she lived she was not brave enough
to die, and the chains were riveted too tigh
round her tender wrists to let her flee away
Poor Nineteenth century AndromedaS No Per
seus shall come to save you.
The sun rose and set in his appointed course
the flowers bloomed and died, children wer'
born, and the allotted portion Of mankinC
passed onward to its rest; but no godlke Per
seus came flying out of the golden east.
Once more the sun rose. The dragon
heaved his head above the quiet waters, ant
she was lost By her own act, of her owl
folly and weakness, she was undone. Behol,
herl the wedding is over. The echoes of tn
loud mockery of the bells have scarcely die
upon the MONDAY air, and in her chamber
the chamber Of her free and happy maiden
hood, the virgin martyr stands alone.
1t is done. There lie the sickly scente
flowers, there too the brides white robe.
is done Oh, that life were done too, that sh
might once press her lips to his and diel
The door opens, and Florence stands befor
her, pale, triumphant and awe inspiring.
II must congratulate you, my dear Eve
You went through the ceremony very wei
only you looked ike a statue"
"Florence, why do you come to mock mel
"Mock you, Eva, mock you l come
wish you joy as NJ. Plowden's wife. l hoE
that you will be happy"
"Happy! I shall never be happy. dete
him"
"You detest him, and you marry him; thei
must be some mistake"
"There is no mistake. Oh, Ernest, my da
ling."
Florence smiled
"If Ernest is your darling, why did you NJ
marry ErnestN
"How could | marry him when you force
Inc into thisi"
"Forced you A free woman Of full a.
cannot be forced. You married Mr.. Plowde
, of your own will. You might have marie
, Ernest Kershaw if you chose. He is in mar
ways a more desirable match than Mr.. Ploy
den, but you did not choose"
"Florence, what do you meant You alwa
said it was impossible. Oh, is this all son
| cruel plot of yours"
"Impossible there is nothing impossible
| those who have courage. Yes,n and 81
. turned upon her sister dercely, "it was pic
, and you shall know it. You poor, weak foe
loved Ernest Korshaw, and you robbed L
of him, although you promised to leave hi
alone and so | have revenged myself up,
you. despse you, | tell you; you are qui
Q contemplate, and yet he could prefer you
| me. Well, he has got his reward. You ha
: deserted him when he was absent and
trouble, and you have outraged his love al
/, your own. You have fallen very low iAdee
g Eva, and you will fall lower yet, l know y
well. You will sink till at last you even Il
o the sense of your own humiliation. Dol
o you wonder what Ernest must think Of y
nowi There is Mr. Plowden calling you
r come, it is time for you to be going"
Eva listened aghast, and then sunk
A against the wall, sobbing despairingly.